A conclave of more than 60 CEOs suggested sweeping changes in the infrastructure sector at the India Infrastructure Show, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry and being held concurrently with the International Engineering and Technology Fair, 2003.

The conclave suggested a common licencing regime for the telecommunications sector, precluding artificial barriers of geography or services.

The regulator should pave the way for a single licence without any restrictions on choice and capability of technologies, it said.

The chief executive officers felt security of payment was a major concern for the power sector, and distribution by generating companies could be a solution.

They said state governments, who continue to default on power purchase agreements, should recognise the sanctity of contracts.

It was pointed out that state electricity regulatory commissions came out with pragmatic tariffs, but they were not implemented.

In the roads sector, the recommendations included the development of more trunk routes and rural roads, utilisation of experienced contractors, and stricter regulation on toll roads.

Also, it was felt the success story of the National Highway Development Project needed to be replicated.

The conclave said clearances for commercial usage of the railways' land should be facilitated.

Rail freight and passenger tariffs should be rationalised and brought closer to real costs, it added.

For the aviation sector, the recommendations included restructuring of the directorate-general of civil aviation, privatisation of Air-India and Indian Airlines, and allowing private airlines to fly to neighbouring countries.

The proliferation of international airports should be checked with a view to developing only three or four large international hubs, the conclave said.

In housing, the chief executive officers said problems of rapid urbanisation should be addressed and private participation should be encouraged.

Also, a Model Municipal Law should be put in place. In the water segment, investments to the tune of $10 billion were required, they said, adding that more realistic tariffs should precede privatisation.

New pills, old ills

• Common licencing regime for the telecom sector sought;
• Power distribution by generating companies could solve payment problems;
• Develop more trunk routes and rural roads;
• Commercial usage of railway land should be facilitated;
• Privatise Air-India, Indian Airlines, allow private airlines to fly to neighbouring countries;
• Private participation in housing should be encouraged;
• In the water segment, investments of $10 billion sought.

Run-up to the Budget 2003